UConn confirms exploratory talks with Conference USA about joining as football member
UConn has been in talks to explore the possibility of joining Conference USA as a football-only member, the school confirmed to The Courant Friday morning.
The Athletic first reported Thursday night that UConn was among three other schools “in negotiations” to join the league. Through a spokesperson, UConn director of athletics David Benedict confirmed the conversations but didn’t go as far to call them “negotiations.”
“While I have had conversations with Conference USA officials, characterizing these interactions as negotiations is an overstatement,” Benedict said in the statement. “I will always do what I think is in the best interest of UConn and I am open to having conversations with anyone in an effort to position us for long-term success.”
The other two schools included in the talks were New Mexico State and Liberty, both independents.
UConn has been independent since 2020 when the school rejoined the Big East, where football is not a sponsored sport. Following the mid-season departure of Randy Edsall, the program is in the midst of looking for a new head coach.
Throughout the current wave of conference realignment, C-USA saw six schools bolt for the American Athletic Conference and two (soon potentially three) more for the Sun Belt, possibly leaving the league with just five members: Florida International, Louisiana Tech, Middle Tennessee, Western Kentucky and UTEP.
Finding a conference for UConn football could be enticing, as it could give the program a bowl tie-in. The Huskies’ schedule is mostly set through 2025, and they have a TV deal with CBS Sports through 2023.
Now led by interim head coach Lou Spanos, the Huskies are 1-8, their sole win over Yale coming earlier this month. They return to the gridiron in two weeks when they take on Clemson on the road.
Alexa Philippou can be reached at aphilippou@courant.com
